Mutation | Definition, Causes, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 4, 2025 · Mutation, an alteration in the genetic material (the genome) of a cell of a living organism or of a virus that is more or less permanent and that can be transmitted to the cell’s or the virus’s …
DNA and Mutations - Understanding Evolution
A mutation is a change in DNA, the hereditary material of life. An organism’s DNA affects how it looks, how it behaves, and its physiology. So a change in an organism’s DNA can cause changes in all …
Biochemistry, Mutation - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
A mutation’s variable impact on fitness in different environments can lead to speciation. It results in different populations with varying fitness levels in a given context, thereby causing a barrier to …
Genetic Mutations: Types, Causes, and Cellular Repair Mechanisms
Apr 29, 2025 · Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can significantly affect an organism’s health and development. These alterations can occur spontaneously or be induced by …
Mutation rate - Wikipedia
The mutation rate of an organism is an evolved characteristic and is strongly influenced by the genetics of each organism, in addition to a strong influence from the environment. The upper and lower limits …
Definition of mutation - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited; if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited. Certain …
What is a Mutation? | Biology for Non-Majors I - Lumen Learning
A mutation is a change that occurs in our DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as the result of environmental factors such as UV light and cigarette smoke.
2.1: What is a mutation? How do mutations arise?
Changes in DNA sequences are called mutations. If a mutation changes the phenotype of an individual, the individual is said to be a mutant.
Mutation – Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits: An Introduction to …
Explain the connection between DNA damage and mutation. Describe the mechanisms by which DNA damage leads to mutation, including replication errors and damage to bases.
Genetics - MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about the effects of genetic variation on human health. Learn about genetic conditions, genes, chromosomes, and more.